As Christians we should rise above our sinful nature, yet honestly this is overnight work. I do not understand the purpose of repentance — it does not change what I have done or said. How does confessing my sins to a priest and saying five hail maries afterwards change anything though? If a person’s particular sin rubs you the wrong way, does that mean there is something wrong with you or them? I cannot stand people raising their voice to another person. I am not sure if this is a sin or not. I cannot tolerate it. My friend cannot stand people gossiping, she will not hear it all. Gossip does not bother me, nor do I think it is a big deal as much she does. She thinks nothing of going off on others though. People have different perspective. Some priests I have encountered will focus on controversial Catholic issues and seem to be annoyed by sensual sins. Some I have encountered, treat sensual sins lighter, but focus more on hate and failure to love others. Well, who is right? It is difficult to see how we are all sinners, when each sin requires different “confrontation.” Some sins require pity, some sins evoke no pity.
Besides confession of sins with contrition there is
reparation. Also we must forgive others.
14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Mt 6:14-15).
32 His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ 34 Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. 35 So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt 18:32-35).
Catechism of the Catholic Church1489 To return to communion with God after having lost it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for oneself and for others.
1490 The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future. Conversion touches the past and the future and is nourished by hope in God’s mercy.
1491 The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest’s absolution. The penitent’s acts are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation.
1492 Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called “perfect” contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called “imperfect.”
2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the
duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another’s reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience.
